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Author Topic: 14' jon boat and dealer opinions needed  (Read 2392 times)

essyoo

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14' jon boat and dealer opinions needed
« on: August 31, 2020, 10:18:20 AM »

I sold my tent trailer over the weekend and want to use the funds to replace my "craigslist special" boat with a 14' jon. Searching through the forum turned up a few discussions but nothing too recent. I like the idea of the mod-v front as we do a fair bit of trolling, but it's not a deal breaker. Boat will split its time between a roof rack and a trailer and 90+% of its time will be in lakes.

Looks like the main options that I can see are Marlon, Alumacraft, Lund, G3, and Princecraft? Any I should avoid? The Marlons seem nice but I keep seeing reference to thin hulls and shoddy welding, is this still the case?

I'd also really like some recommendations on dealers I should check out. Very unfamiliar with who sells boats in the lower mainland.

thanks!
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firstlight

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Re: 14' jon boat and dealer opinions needed
« Reply #1 on: August 31, 2020, 03:06:13 PM »

Lowe also makes them.
I have no idea what Marlons are like now but i suspect they have cleaned up there act from when they first came out.
They were terribly finished back then but i wouldnt discount them until you have had a look at them and compared to others.
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BNF861

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Re: 14' jon boat and dealer opinions needed
« Reply #2 on: August 31, 2020, 06:41:50 PM »

It’s been a while but back in 2012 I bought my Lowe 1448mt flat bottom mod-v from Cascade Marine in Chilliwack and they were good to deal with.
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amesbubbles

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Re: 14' jon boat and dealer opinions needed
« Reply #3 on: September 01, 2020, 12:04:24 AM »

Cant go wrong with a Lowe 1448. I have had Lowes in a 1448, 1548 and 1652 and never had a problem what so ever with any of them. Dont think dealerships are going to be a problem, you may have trouble finding a 1448.
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essyoo

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Re: 14' jon boat and dealer opinions needed
« Reply #4 on: September 01, 2020, 11:39:18 AM »

Called around to most of the local dealers this morning and not a lot of stock unfortunately. I think I might be going for the G3 1442 as it will fit in our rack without modding and there is one available. I would love a 1448 as the extra width would be great, but they seem in short supply right now.
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BNF861

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Re: 14' jon boat and dealer opinions needed
« Reply #5 on: September 01, 2020, 12:16:41 PM »

I believe the beam widths are 70” on the 1448 and 62” on the 1442 making the 1448 nice with the extra width if the plan is to trailer it but a 1442 is a better option if you plan you put on roof racks.

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essyoo

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Re: 14' jon boat and dealer opinions needed
« Reply #6 on: September 01, 2020, 03:41:55 PM »

Picked up the 1442. Seems like it's the last one around at the moment. Every dealer I talked to said they were having trouble getting new stock in and many had nothing left.

Now the fun part of setting it up!
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Rodney

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Re: 14' jon boat and dealer opinions needed
« Reply #7 on: September 01, 2020, 04:00:49 PM »

Good choice. :) A 1448 would be hard to get onto the rack as a car topper I think... I love my 1442.

essyoo

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Re: 14' jon boat and dealer opinions needed
« Reply #8 on: September 01, 2020, 05:05:57 PM »

haha yeah, when I searched "G3 1442 review" your video on your boat setup was the first link. I figured if it's good enough for Rod, it's more than good enough for me  ;D
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Rodney

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Re: 14' jon boat and dealer opinions needed
« Reply #9 on: September 03, 2020, 11:22:58 AM »

Haha awesome! That boat has been the best investment for me ever. I probably have used it a couple dozen days so far this year...

Hike_and_fish

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Re: 14' jon boat and dealer opinions needed
« Reply #10 on: September 04, 2020, 10:18:53 PM »

If you're sold on a Lowe. I suggest that dealer in Kamloops. The prices are great.
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essyoo

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Re: 14' jon boat and dealer opinions needed
« Reply #11 on: September 08, 2020, 11:45:30 AM »

Took it out to Salmon Lake for the long weekend and my son and I both got our personal best rainbows so I can confirm that the 1442 was a good choice!
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typhoon

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Re: 14' jon boat and dealer opinions needed
« Reply #12 on: September 08, 2020, 01:58:16 PM »

Is it the modified V or the flat jon boat?

Any comments on the value of mod-V from the group?
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essyoo

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Re: 14' jon boat and dealer opinions needed
« Reply #13 on: September 08, 2020, 02:28:51 PM »

I got the flat front. Really tried to find a mod-v in the lower mainland but the only one I could find had the taller transom, wasn't looking to change motors.

I had expected it to be really harsh in the wind chop but I didn't find it bad at all. The 1442 has a slight taper to the front which I assume helps. I imagine something like a marlon or other rectangular boat is a bit more rough when the waves pick up?
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